Comparison of Intraoral and Percutaneous Approaches for Infraorbital Nerve Block

Objective: The infraorbital nerve block is frequently used during repair of facial lacerations; both percutaneous and intraoral approaches are used. The authors compared the two techniques for pain of administration and anesthetic effectiveness. Methods: A prospective, randomized, single-blind, crossover study was conducted using 12 healthy volunteers, aged 25–41 years. No patient had prior experience with infraorbital nerve anesthesia, lidocaine allergy, active oral/facial infection, or previous facial fractures. Bilateral infraorbital nerve blocks were done using the intraoral technique on one side and the percutaneous technique on the other. Both techniques were used by the same investigator and were carried out with 27-gauge needles and 2.5 mL of 2% buffered lidocaine at room temperature injected over 20 seconds. The oral mucosa was topically anesthetized with viscous lidocaine for 1 minute prior to intraoral injection. The orders of the blocks and sides of the face anesthetized were randomized. Pain of injection, anesthetic efficacy (anesthesia of upper lip), time to anesthetic onset, and duration of anesthesia were evaluated. Results: By visual-analog pain scale scores, there was less pain by the intraoral approach, although this difference did not achieve significance (p = 0.08). Overall, nine of the 12 subjects considered the intraoral technique less painful than the percutaneous approach (p = 0.14). The intraoral approach produced upper-lip anesthesia in 12 of 12 subjects, versus nine of 12 for the percutaneous technique (p = 0.25) The duration of anesthesia was longer with the intraoral approach (1.6 ± 0.8 hours versus 0.9 ± 0.4 hours) than with the percutaneous approach (p = 0.04). The two techniques were similar in times to anesthetic onset. Conclusion: The intraoral approach to the infraorbital nerve block after adjunctive topical anesthesia appeared at least as effective in producing upper-lip anesthesia as the percutaneous approach without adjunctive topical anesthesia. Although the volunteers subjectively preferred the intraoral approach and visual-analog pain scores were lower for this approach, these differences did not achieve statistical significance. The intraoral approach was associated with a longer duration of upper-lip anesthesia.     

Transient Facial Nerve Palsy After Occipital Nerve Block: A Case Report

Occipital nerve blocks are commonly performed to treat a variety of headache syndromes and are generally believed to be safe and well tolerated. We report the case of an otherwise healthy 24‐year‐old woman with left side‐locked occipital, parietal, and temporal pain who was diagnosed with probable occipital neuralgia. She developed complete left facial nerve palsy within minutes of blockade of the left greater and lesser occipital nerves with a solution of bupivicaine and triamcinolone. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain with gadolinium contrast showed no abnormalities, and symptoms had completely resolved 4‐5 hours later. Unintended spread of the anesthetic solution along tissue planes seems the most likely explanation for this adverse event. An aberrant course of the facial nerve or connections between the facial and occipital nerves also might have played a role, along with the patient's prone position and the use of a relatively large injection volume of a potent anesthetic. Clinicians should be aware that temporary facial nerve palsy is a possible complication of occipital nerve block.     

指外伤单点皮下阻滞与传统皮下阻滞局麻效果比较的随机对照试验

目的比较对指外伤患者行单点皮下注射指神经阻滞与传统指神经阻滞两种不同麻醉方法的麻醉效果。方法选择伤及1或2个手指的指外伤患者,用抛硬币法随机分为传统皮下阻滞组和单点皮下阻滞组。由同一试验人员实施所有麻醉,对患者及结果评估者设盲,采用符合方案集(PP)分析和意向性治疗(ITT)分析比较两种不同方法在麻醉过程中所引发的疼痛程度(10cm视觉模拟评分)、麻醉起效时间和麻醉失败率。结果共纳入指外伤患者93例(109指),其中传统皮下阻滞组51例(61指),单点皮下阻滞组42例(48指)。除2例(3指)分别因醉酒和语言障碍未能评价结局指标外,PP分析及ITT分析均显示,两种麻醉方法在麻醉过程中引发的疼痛、麻醉起效时间及麻醉失败率方面差异无统计学意义(P﹥0.05)。结论单点皮下阻滞与传统的指神经阻滞方法的效果相当,且操作更简单,适用于指外伤患者的手指掌指横纹以远掌侧及中末节背侧的麻醉。对于损伤累及手指近节背侧或拇指背侧的患者则需要辅以指背神经阻滞。     

Superior Cluneal Nerve Block for Treatment of Buttock Abscesses in the Emergency Department

Background: The buttock is a common location for cutaneous abscesses among patients presenting for emergency department care. Procedural pain management sufficient to permit adequate incision and drainage often requires moderate sedation or general anesthesia. Discussion: We describe a patient with a buttock abscess who successfully underwent incision and drainage with a regional superior cluneal nerve blockade instead of moderate sedation. Conclusions: Our experience suggests that superior cluneal nerve blockade may reduce the need for procedural sedation, expedite care, and reduce costs for some patients presenting with buttock abscesses.     

Safety and Efficacy of the Infraclavicular Nerve Block Performed at Low Current

Abstract:   It has recently been suggested that peripheral nerve or plexus blocks performed with the use of a nerve stimulator at low currents (<0.5 mA) may result in neurologic damage. We studied the infraclavicular nerve block, performed with the use of a nerve stimulator and an insulated needle, in a prospective evaluation of efficacy and safety. During a one-year period, 248 patients undergoing infraclavicular nerve block were evaluated for block success rate and incidence of neurologic complication. All blocks were performed with the use of a nerve stimulator and an insulated needle at ≤0.3 mA. Success rate was 94%, which increased to 96% with surgical infiltration of local anesthetic. There were no intraoperative or immediate postoperative complications noted. After one week, only one patient had a neurologic complaint, and this was surgically related, referable to surgery performed on the radial nerve. We conclude that infraclavicular nerve blocks performed at low currents (≤0.3 mA) are safe and effective.     

Ultrasound‐Guided Posterior Antebrachial Cutaneous Nerve Block: Technical Description and Block Distribution in Healthy Volunteers

The posterior antebrachial cutaneous nerve branches from the radial nerve proximal to the elbow and supplies sensation to the posterior aspect of the forearm. With a high‐frequency linear transducer, the posterior antebrachial cutaneous nerve was identified in 8 healthy volunteers. Under aseptic conditions and with an ultrasound‐guided in‐plane technique, 1% lidocaine was injected circumferentially around the nerve. In each participant, the block was successful, and neither incidental blocks of other nerves nor any other complications were observed. These results demonstrate that the posterior antebrachial cutaneous nerve can be blocked to provide anesthesia or analgesia to the posterior forearm.     

超声引导下的神经阻滞术临床应用进展

传统的神经阻滞与临床经验密切相关,成功率低、安全性较差。近年来,随着超声技术的快速发展,超声引导下的神经阻滞技术得到了广泛应用与飞速发展。超声引导下的神经阻滞技术的出现已使临床神经阻滞的方式发生了根本性变革。临床医师可以通过超声显像观察外周神经及其周围结构,并在超声实时、动态引导下穿刺到目标神经周围,实施精准地神经阻滞,避免了对周围重要组织结构的损伤,提高了操作的成功率,减少了并发症,并大大提高了阻滞效率。本文将综述超声引导下的神经阻滞术临床应用进展。     

Ultrasound-Guided Transgluteal Sciatic Nerve Block for Gluteal Procedural Analgesia

BackgroundAdequate analgesia is difficult to achieve in patients with an abscess requiring incision and drainage (I&D). There has been a recent increase in regional anesthesia use in the emergency department (ED) to aid in acute musculoskeletal pain relief. Specifically, transgluteal sciatic nerve (TGSN) block has been used as an adjunct treatment for certain chronic lumbar and lower extremity pain syndromes in the ED.Case ReportA 21-year-old woman presented to the ED with a painful gluteal abscess. The pain was so severe that the patient barely tolerated light palpation to the abscess area. Using dynamic ultrasound guidance, a TGSN block was performed with significant pain reduction. Ultrasonographic confirmation of abscess was obtained followed by definitive I&D. She was discharged from the ED and her incision site was healing well at the time of follow-up.Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?Abscess I&D is a common procedure in the ED. Procedural analgesia for I&D can be difficult to obtain. We describe the TGSN block as an additional analgesic option to be used for procedural analgesia. The use of regional anesthesia has the potential to decrease unwanted and at times dangerous side effects of opiate use and resource utilization of procedural sedation while optimizing patient comfort.     

面神经加星状神经结阻滞治疗面神经炎的临床观察

目的 :比较面神经阻滞加星状神经结阻滞与星状神经结阻滞治疗急性面神经炎的临床效果。方法 :6 6例急性面神经炎患者随机分成观察组和对照组 ,每组 33例。对照组采用星状神经结阻滞 (1次 /d) 10 %GS2 5 0ml内加入红花注射液 10ml 口服阿司匹林、地塞米松。观察组除采用对照组治疗外增加患侧面神经阻滞 (次 / 3d ,3次为1疗程 ,1个疗程后休息 1周 ,再行下一疗程 ,3个疗程为限 )。分别于疗程的第 7、15、30天对病人随访 ,记录患者嘴脸歪斜、口角下垂、鼓气试验、语言状态、溢泪等疗效情况进行比较。结果 :疗程第 7、15天各观察项目的优良率观察组与对照组相比有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;其中疗程第 7天嘴脸歪斜的优良率和口角下垂的优良率观察组与对照组相比有非常显著性差异 (P <0 .0 1) ,但总有效率两组相近无显著性差异P >0 .0 5 ;疗程第 7天的鼓气试验总有效率和优良率与对照组相比有显著性差异P <0 .0 5 ;疗程第 30天溢泪的总有效率观察组和对照组都达到 10 0 %。结论 :面神经阻滞加星状神经结阻滞早期用于治疗急性面神经炎能加速临床症状恢复 ,缩短疗程 ,但不能提高总有效率。     

腰丛-坐骨神经阻滞在下肢外伤性手术麻醉中的应用

目的:观察单侧腰丛-坐骨神经阻滞用于下肢外伤性手术麻醉的镇痛效果及对血液动力学的影响.方法:40例急诊拟行单侧下肢外伤性手术的病人随机分为两组.A组采用神经刺激器定位技术行腰丛-坐骨神经阻滞,B组选择L2-3或L3-4间隙行硬膜外麻醉.局麻药均用罗哌卡因.记录麻醉前及麻醉后15、30、60、90 min的收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)和心率(HR),以及针刺疼痛消失时间、术中输液量、术后尿潴留发生率等指标.结果:与麻醉前相比,两组病人的麻醉后血压均下降,B组病人麻醉后各时点的SBP、DBP均明显低于A组:术中B组的晶体输入量,曾用麻黄碱病例数和术后尿潴留发生率均明显高于A组;针刺疼痛消失时间A组显著低于B组.两组病例麻醉效果确切,均无更改麻醉方式完成手术.结论:神经刺激器定位技术下行单侧腰丛-坐骨神经阻滞.麻醉起效快,镇痛效果好,对血液动力学影响小,术后不良反应少,适用于下肢创伤性手术病人.     

Perioperative Peripheral Nerve Block Safety Education: A Quality Improvement Project

PurposeThe purpose of the quality improvement (QI) project was to improve patient safety by increasing the consistency of monitor application and oxygen administration during the placement of peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs), advance the knowledge of perianesthesia staff about PNB safety, and develop a PNB hospital policy.DesignQI project using the focus, analyze, develop, and execute model.MethodsThe project had two parts, an educational component that was deployed in the three hospitals (hospital A, hospital B, hospital C) and an observation component that was conducted in only one of the hospitals (hospital A). Baseline observation of monitor and oxygen application was recorded at hospital A for 3 months. Assessment of perioperative personnel's baseline knowledge regarding PNB safety was attained using a knowledge assessment tool in the three hospitals. Learners in the three hospitals were given a pretest and post-test to measure the change in knowledge level after a PNB safety presentation was given. Monitor and oxygen application during nerve block placements were observed and recorded after the PNB safety presentation at hospital A. Statistical analysis was completed to determine if significant differences in knowledge levels in the three hospitals and monitor and oxygen application at hospital A existed after an educational intervention was delivered to the perioperative teams.FindingsParticipants' knowledge level increased 13% overall with post-test scores greater than 90% after the educational intervention. Monitor application and administration of oxygen during PNB placement improved from 2% to 100% in a preliminary 3-week postintervention review. Systematic changes were implemented to facilitate adherence to best practice measures.ConclusionsPNB safety presentations significantly improved staff's knowledge regarding PNB procedures and potential problems. A multidisciplinary team approach was used to facilitate changes to improve electrocardiogram, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, and oxygen use in this patient population. A proposed PNB policy was accepted as a protocol. Patients are safer with increased monitoring.     

Ultrasound‐Guided Continuous Superficial Peroneal Nerve Block below the Knee for the Treatment of Nerve Injury

(CRPS) describes a constellation of symptoms including pain, trophic changes, hyperesthesia, allodynia, and dysregulation of local blood flow often following trauma. It is often confined to the extremities. Treatment of this disorder consists of a variety of modalities including systemic pharmacotherapy, local anesthetic injections or infusions, psychological nonpharmacotherapy, physical rehabilitation, and surgical intervention. Chronic pain not related to CRPS can also be treated with similar interventions. Despite the array of available therapies, it can still be difficult to manage. We report a case of a 19‐year‐old patient diagnosed by her surgeon as having CRPS Type II, secondary to foot trauma, which was treated with a continuous infusion of local anesthetic at the superficial peroneal nerve (SPN). While placement of peripheral nerve block catheters to augment chronic pain therapy is not novel, the application of a perineural catheter at the SPN has not been previously described.     

髋关节手术新型麻醉方式：腰丛、坐骨神经及椎旁神经联合阻滞

目的评估腰丛＋坐骨神经联合椎旁神经阻滞在人工髋关节置换术中的应用价值。方法回顾性分析34例行人工髋关节置换手术的患者,根据不同麻醉方式分为全身麻醉组（GA组）、硬膜外组（EA组）和外周神经阻滞组（NB组）,NB组进一步分为腰丛＋坐骨神经阻滞组（LS组）和腰丛＋坐骨神经＋椎旁神经阻滞组（PVB）,比较各组患者的围手术期情况。结果 NB组患者平均年龄和术前合并疾病发生率明显高于其他两组（P〈0.05）,NB组患者术中收缩压、舒张压和心率最大变化率分别为13.9%±6.1%、15.8%±8.2%和14.0%±4.7%,明显低于GA组的21.6%±7.0%、23.3%±7.2%和23.3%±7.8%（P〈0.05）。NB组患者术中芬太尼使用量为（103.8±42.7）μg,显著低于GA组的（295.0±55.4）μg（P〈0.05）。与LS组比较,PVB组患者收缩压和舒张压的最大变化率显著减低,分别为9.0%±3.4%vs.18.8%±3.3%和9.0%±4.1%vs.22.5%±4.2%（P〈0.05）;芬太尼用量减少,PVB组为（87.5±47.9）μg,LS组为（120.0±35.6）μg,但两组比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论外周神经阻滞复合小剂量静脉麻醉可以安全有效地用于人工髋关节置换术,腰丛＋坐骨神经复合椎旁神经阻滞可进一步增加外周神经阻滞的阻滞效果。     

Comparative Effectiveness of Two Ultrasound‐Guided Regional Block Techniques for Surgical Anesthesia in Open Unilateral Inguinal Hernia Repair

Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) and ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric (II/IH) nerve blocks have been described as analgesic adjuncts for inguinal hernia repair, but the efficacy of these techniques in providing intraoperative anesthesia, either individually or together, is not known. We designed this retrospective cohort study to test the hypothesis that combining TAP and II/IH nerve blocks (“double TAP” technique) results in greater accordance between the preoperative anesthetic plan and actual anesthetic technique provided when compared to TAP alone. Based on this study, double TAP may be preferred for patients undergoing open inguinal hernia repair who wish to avoid general anesthesia.     

Parascapular Sub-Iliocostalis Plane Block: Comparative Description of a Novel Technique for Posterior Rib Fractures

We describe a new analgesic technique, parascapular sub-iliocostalis plane block (PSIP), for lateral-posterior rib fractures as an alternative to other regional techniques in a high-risk patient who suffered a decompensation of her cardiorespiratory function after posterior chest trauma. We performed a continuous ultrasound-guided left PSIP block in the sub-iliocostalis plane next to the fourth rib to optimize analgesia and minimize complications. The patient had total pain relief with marked improvement in her cardiorespiratory condition. No complications were reported. The efficacy of the PSIP block may potentially depend on different mechanisms of action: (1) direct action in the fracture site by craniocaudal myofascial spread underneath the erector spinae muscle (ESM); (2) spread to deep layers through tissue disruption caused by trauma, to reach the proximal intercostal nerves; (3) further medial spread through deeper layers to the midline to block the posterior and ventral spinal nerves; (4) medial spread below the ESM, to reach the posterior spinal nerves (more reliably than rhomboid intercostal / sub-serratus [RISS] block); and (5) lateral spread in the sub-serratus (SS) plane to reach the lateral cutaneous branches of the intercostal nerves; while avoiding significant negative hemodynamic effects associated with techniques such as the paravertebral block (PVB), erector spinae plane (ESP) block or its variations, or thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA). A comparative comprehensive overview of the regional techniques described for posterior chest trauma is presented, including TEA, PVB, ESP block, retrolaminar block, mid-point to transverse process block, costotransverse foramen block, RISS, and serratus anterior plane (SAP) block.